Is It Safe To Remove Horizontal Wooden Strips From Trailer Wall Before Installing X-Tracks?

Question:

I want to mount these 5ft X-tracks vertically to the wall studs of my Carry-On enclosed cargo trailer, but there are factory installed 1x4 3/4” plywood horizontal furring strips in the way. Is it safe to remove these strips entirely in order to mount the tracks directly to the wall studs? Would it be safer to only remove/cut the areas of the strips where the tracks will go? Or should I just mount additional 3/4” plywood to the wall studs and then mount the track directly to the plywood instead of to the studs?

asked by: Micha G

Expert Reply:

The wood strips on your trailer appear to be in place only to allow objects to slide along the wall and to not damage the interior plywood on the walls. To be safe you will want to verify with the trailer manufacturer that there is no structural integrity the strips are applying to the wall before you mount the 5' CargoSmart Horizontal or Vertical X-Track # 3481788.

If the strips are integral to the structure of your wall we do have a 2' X-Track # 3481787 as well as an Individual X-Track # 3486500 that can be mounted to the walls allowing you to place the track around the strips.

expert reply by: Bud M